IIHF President: ‘No reason that NHL will not come’ to Olympics

Despite some apprehensions on this side of the pond, the world’s biggest hockey governing body seems to be optimistic heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics.

When speaking to the media at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, International Ice Hockey Federation President Luc Tardif was asked about whether the NHL will be part of the men’s ice hockey tournament in Italy next month.

Tardif mentioned that there shouldn’t be any barriers holding the best players in the world back from competing at the Winter Games.

“There is no reason that the NHL will not come,” Tardif said.

The remark comes a couple of days after the first-ever test event held inside the arena, which is supposed to be the main hub for the hockey tournaments in Milan. An Italian Cup matchup was held at the arena, and though a hole in the ice delayed the game for several minutes, players had positive remarks about the surface, given that it was the first time it was truly being used.

The game was held less than four weeks from when the women’s tournament is scheduled to start, though that tournament will also use the nearby Rho Ice Hockey Arena for several games.

A second Italian Cup game was held on Saturday. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the ice will be removed and another fresh sheet installed. It’s not quite clear whether more test events will be held prior to Feb. 5, or when men’s teams are supposed to start practicing on the ice around Feb. 8.

Per a report from Chris Johnston of The Athletic, the capacity of the new arena will be below the expected 14,000-seat capacity, with seating coming in around 11,800. Only three of the 14 locker rooms were fully built.

The NHL has been very vocal about its displeasure with the construction being behind schedule. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly recently stated that “If there’s no rink completed, there’s no NHL players going to the Olympics.”

The men’s tournament is supposed to get underway on Feb. 12. It would be the first time since Sochi in 2014 that NHLers would play at the Winter Olympics.